The Cadence Collection by Athena Calderone for Calico Wallpaper
Cadence reflects a mutual and authentic devotion to texture, materiality, and mood.
Cadence marks a refined partnership between Athena Calderone and Calico Wallpaper, rooted in a shared language of craftsmanship and quiet luxury. As Calderone’s first foray into wall covering design and originally conceived for her own home, the collection even further carries a rare authenticity.
As seen below in-situ of Calderone's Tribeca residence, Cadence is as personal as is timeless, enveloping her closet, lining bookshelf nooks, and showcasing how it softly shapes the atmosphere of a home.
Photography by William Jess Laird
Drawing inspiration from the subtle beauty of aged materials, particularly the translucent and layered qualities found in natural hides, Cadence reflects a mutual devotion to texture, materiality, and mood. Through Calico Wallpaper’s innovative processes, these references are transformed into surfaces that feel both tactile and atmospheric, gently shifting with light, depth, and perspective.
At the heart of the collaboration is a meticulous, hands-on process. Calderone worked closely with Rachel Cope alongside a skilled French artisan and decorative painter to bring the collection to life. The result is a series of wall coverings that feel at once ancient and contemporary, grounded yet ethereal, minimal yet deeply expressive.
“I am endlessly inspired by Athena’s effortless mastery of color, texture, and materiality. Everything she touches radiates a soft, resonant elegance, and Cadence beautifully embodies the magic of her refined vision. The collection feels equally authentic to Calico Wallpaper as it does to her distinctive aesthetic,” reflects Rachel Cope, creative director and co-founder of Calico Wallpaper.
With Cadence, Calderone and Calico Wallpaper present more than a collection: they offer a thoughtful exploration of how surface, space, and sensibility come together through true creative partnership.
The collection’s palette balances restraint with richness, allowing each colorway to quietly define a space without overwhelming it. From intimate architectural details to expansive walls, Cadence carries a timeless reverence, its presence soft yet impactful.
Alabaster and Porcelain feel luminous and whisper-soft, capturing the diffused glow of translucent surfaces; Fawn introduces a warm, velvety tonality reminiscent of sun-touched hide; Jasper brings a deep, earthen green with a mineral richness; Oxblood lends a moody, saturated depth that evokes aged patina; and Tobacco anchors the palette with a grounded, espresso-toned warmth. Together, the hues offer a spectrum of serene, atmospheric tones that enrich the collection’s ethos of quiet layers and timeless texture.
